Once seen as a sure thing, approval of a regional transportation authority for Hampton Roads is now uncertain. Seven of the region’s 12 localities representing more than half the population must vote to create the authority, which would be empowered to impose roughly $170 million a year in new levies. Rejection by six localities could scuttle the entire enterprise.
Earlier this week, the tiny city of Poquoson voted no. Mayor Gordon Helsel called the proposal “sheer arrogance” by members of the General Assembly, noting that Hampton Roads voters had decisively defeated a similar plan five years ago. (Read the account in the Daily Press.)
Poquoson’s action follows a similar “no” vote by York County. According to the editorial pundits at the Daily Press, no one should be surprised if the City of Hampton votes “no” next month. Meanwhile, Isle of Wight and James City counties have delayed their votes, reflecting reservations on the part of local officials. Likewise, according to accounts in the Virginian-Pilot, local leaders in the City of Chesapeake have major concerns. I haven’t seen anything reflecting the temperament in Suffolk, but the fact that it has taken no action yet hints at a lack of enthusiasm. If all six localities rebuff the regional authority, the idea dies.
(The five cities that have voted to create the authority include Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News and Williamsburg.)
I took it for granted that the measure would win approval, so I haven’t followed developments as closely as I should have. Bacon’s Rebellion columnist Jim Bowden, by contrast, has been riding the issue hard. His latest column, “Speak to the Camera,” raises issues for which the Axis of Taxes has no good answers.
Now that it’s clear that the approval of the H.R. transportation authority is, in fact, in play, I will start paying closer attention to developments.
Update: The fate of the transportation authority hinges upon the votes of a handful of undecided local elected officials, reports Tom Holden with the Virginian-Pilot. There is a widespread sentiment that the enabling legislation is bad. If people had a clear idea what might replace it, they might reject it more decisively.
Said John J. McGlennon, chairman of the James City County Board: “Everyone understands that this is pretty terrible legislation. The real question is whether anything better will emerge if we reject it.”